Stampers Showcase!

I was shocked to get an email from my wonderful upline Linda this morning congratulating me on making the Stamping 411 Stampers Showcase! I had no idea and I had to see it for myself.  And guess what?  She was right! 

Friday, February 17, 2012

Stampers Showcase #242

Way to go, Stampers! You've done some great work this week. Here are your Operator Picks for Sketch Challenge #242. Thanks so much to all who participated and we hope to see you back soon.

 

This is so funny to me because this card was so quick, took very little thought on my part, it's just one of those things that "came to me" as soon as I saw the sketch. 

 

To all the Operators at Stamping 411:  THANK YOU!!

Freshly Made Sketches #22

I just love Wednesdays!  One more day of work (I only work on Tuesdays and Thursdays) and then it's the weekend again! And another Wednesday means another Freshly Made Sketch challenge!

Was excited to use another "Packed for..." stamp today so I decided to make a baby card.  I just love using the spotlight technique with these stamps.  So here's what I came up with:

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Packed for Baby, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Inks: Staz-On Black, Marina Mist, Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride markers for coloring spotlight
Paper: Marina Mist, Basic Black, Whisper White, Nursery Nest dp
Big Shot: Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder

My Valentine (SSC 242)

How was your Valentine's Day? 

My husband and I are not ones to swap gifts on Valentine's Day.  I usually just make him a card and he usually buys one for me, last minute, on his way home from work Valentine's night.  This year was no different.  He brought home some Valentine Mike & Ike's for the girls.  They said they'd rather get the conversation heart candies.  He said he was looking for those but the selection was minimal at 7pm.  Oh well....I regress.

I knew when I saw the Saturday Sketch Challenge on Stamping 411, I'd be using it for my husband's card.  It was a simple sketch:

I tried to keep it simple and not use too many embellishments.  I clearly left out the flower button.  What do you think?

No time for the details...gotta get the kids to CCD.  Let me know if you want them!



Going "Pro" - FMS #21

When I finish a card, I usually stand it up on my bay window or kitchen table (those are the only two spots with a decent amount of natural light), snap the picture with my cell phone, and send it to my blog. However, after seeing my cabinets, countertops, random pieces of furniture, etc. in the backgrounds of my card photos, I decided to make an attempt at "going professional" with my photos today.  Let me know what you think.

It's Wednesday so here goes another attempt at a Freshly Made Sketches challenge.  Here's today's sketch:

And here are my "professional" photos:

No cabinets in these photos!!  Was trying to show the detail of the Dazzling Details in the close up but it didn't do it justice.  Oh well. 

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Packed for Birthday, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Inks: Black Staz-On, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Lucky Limeade all colored with Blender Pens

Paper: Pool Party, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Basic Black

Punches: 3/4" & 7/8" circle punches

Embellishments/Techniques: non-SU! black stick ons, Dazzling Details (on balloons) Spotlight Technique

Thanks for looking!

No Mojo :(

I was on such a roll last week that I couldn't wait to check out the Mojo Monday challenge today.  Come to find out, the challenge is even more exciting because there's a prize this week!  See the sketch? 

Doesn't look that difficult, does it?  Except I apparently lost my mojo over the weekend!!  I played with colors, ribbons, designer paper, stamps...you name it, I played with it!  And no matter what I did, I couldn't get it just right.  After spending an hour of my son's nap gluing and ungluing...while precious moments were ticking away, knowing that he would be calling for me at any second, I ended up with this:

What do you think? I'm not quite sure of it. I had finished it but thought the bottom half was too plain. So I decided to sponge a faux scallop edge.  Wish I hadn't done that.  And what do you know, there he is...calling me just in time to finish this up.  If you're curious about the color combo or any other info (in case you want to be sure NOT to replicate this) let me know.  And let's hope I find my mojo before the next challenge!

Freshly Made Sketches #20

When I first saw this week's challenge at Freshly Made Sketches, I didn't know if I would participate.  In honor of the SUPERBOWL this weekend (Go Pats!!) they are "going long" with the sketch. The odd card size threw me off because I wouldn't have any envelopes to match.   But I looked at it again this morning and decided, if I can put square cards in rectangle envelopes, I can certainly put these skinny cards in a regular card envelope!  I actually found some 4 1/2 x 6 3/4 envelopes left over from my Christmas photo cards so I decided to make a 6 1/2 x 3 card to fit inside.  Check out this sketch:

And I almost forgot!!  Has anyone ever woke up dreaming of stamping? I know, sounds crazy.  But I was so excited to get some new stuff yesterday and couldn't wait to start playing.  I actually woke up today thinking how pretty Always Artichoke and Concord Crush would be.  So this is what I made:

Here's what I used:
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Triple Treat Flower
Ink: Always Artichoke, Whisper White
Paper: Concord Crush, Always Artichoke, Whisper White, In Color 2010-2012 dp hostess pack
Embellishments: Always Artichoke Seam Binding Ribbon, Artichoke button (from really old Regals buttons pack)

Hope you like it!

Addicted to a Challenge

This has never happened to me before, but I think I'm addicted to the Stamping 411 sketch challenge this week!  It is so easy, especially because I have so many pieces of 6x6 dp!  Once you start cutting you realize how nicely it all works out.  I love the fact that you can use almost the entire 6x6 piece on each card because as I've said before I have SO much dp to use!  This is what I accomplished today:

I really liked the "friend" sentiment on these because it will be a bit more versatile than "thank you."  Got to get my kids fed, so if you're wondering the details let me know and I'll be sure to add them!  Thanks for looking!